rainforest EXPEDITION

5 days / 4 nights

Five days in the rainforest, based at our Ecolodge, with 2 nights at our riverside camp, during a journey upriver in search of typical Amazon wildlife...

Day 1: By river to Tambopata Ecolodge

Your rainforest expedition begins with a 68-kilometer journey to the Ecolodge (23 km by vehicle, 45 km by boat). As we leave the town, the vegetation changes from colonized deforested areas to virgin rainforest. On arrival you'll have time to settle into the Ecolodge and meet the staff before setting off for an introductory walk in the surrounding forest, accompanied by one of our naturalist guides. Species here include saddle-back tamarins, brown capuchins, agoutis, blue-morpho butterflies and many bird species (read more about Tambopata's birds here).

Day 2: River, forest trails, camping

Today’s 4-hour boat ride upriver will take us deep into the National Reserve to the isolated Colorado clay lick, where macaws, parrots and other fauna tend to gather in huge numbers. After arrival at our camp and a good lunch, you will have the afternoon free to explore the area’s forest trail system, spotting wildlife in the company of your naturalist guide. We will spend the night at our riverside campsite.

Day 3: Birdlife, monkeys and other forest fauna

Today will begin before dawn for us, as we need to get into position before the birds arrive at the clay lick. Several hundred macaws and parrots visit the clay-lick daily. This is indisputably one of the greatest spectacles the Amazon basin offers visitors. Following a late morning forest hike in search of some of the nine species of monkeys present in the area, after lunch we will explore a clear forest stream where it is safe to bathe, before spending another relaxing evening and night at our campsite. (Read more about clay licks here).

Day 4: Clay lick, forest trails and wetlands

After a second opportunity to witness the spectacle at the lick, we will hike to an oxbow lake. These wetland ecosystems are among the best places in the Amazon basin to spot wildlife. A family of giant otters lives in the vicinity of the lake and is often observed. Birds abound here, especially rufescent tiger-herons, great egrets, wattled jacanas and hoatzins (read more about hoatzins here). Later, our final evening at the Ecolodge will be spent enjoying a fine meal, followed by a return to the river, in search of nocturnal species, including caimans (read more about caimans here).

Day 5: Early morning river journey

An early start is required for the boat trip back to the jungle town of Puerto Maldonado. Riverside wildlife is particularly active at this time of day. Howler monkeys are seen and heard frequently, staking out their territory.

Services included:

All meals and accommodation from day one of your itinerary to breakfast on the final day. All transport from your arrival at the town of Puerto Maldonado to your return to the local airport. All guided excursions described in the itinerary.

Services not included:

Flights to and from Puerto Maldonado; entrance fee to Tambopata National Reserve, payable directly to the Reserve authorities; any drinks ordered at the Ecolodge bar; tips.

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What your rainforest visit means

In Peru ecotourism has helped make it possible to create national reserves and save the forests of the Amazon basin from destruction. By implementing our ecotourism-based conservation model (see our video), we are ensuring the forests will be around for future generations to appreciate. Pioneering projects like Tambopata Ecolodge, which was established in 1991, serve as a conservation model, by showing how responsible ecotourism can support conservation initiatives.

Enjoy an upgrade to SUITE for the cost of a SUPERIOR room. This offer is subject to availability. To take advantage of this offer, click here and fill out the form, indicating your selected dates, and requesting this promotional offer.

Enjoy 25% off any room type, available for the Rainforest Experience or Rainforest Encounter programs. To take advantage of this offer, click on the program you’re interested in, enter your dates, and select the room type available, number of people, and the other options. The discount will be applied to the rates automatically.

The comfort of our guests is our priority; we do not operate camping itineraries from November 1st to March 31st.